Although it may seem like it’s been around forever, Purple Bowl opened just four years ago in 2017. Serving deliciously refreshing acai bowls, smoothies and more, the Franklin Street eatery has become a go-to spot for many in Chapel Hill.
The family business was started by Taylor Gilland who wanted to bring the sweet, antioxidant-packed smoothie bowls to Chapel Hill. Gilland and his family intended to provide a healthy and quick food option for those with busy lives.
Purple Bowl offers a variety of options on its menu, all made with high-quality, fresh ingredients. The menu includes make-your-own bowls where customers can choose from different smoothie bases and a number of different toppings such as strawberries, bananas, almonds, goji berries and more. Customers can also order nutritious smoothies, flavorful toasts and protein-packed energy balls.
“We put a lot of thought into how we were going to develop our menu,” said general manager and CEO Paula Gilland. “Whatever we could, we sourced locally.”
Purple Bowl works with Makai, an acai source that provides the best-quality acai and is committed to local communities and sustainability. The acai is imported from South America because the superfood berries are grown in the Southern Hemisphere, but many of the business’s other products are local to the Triangle. For example, the almond butter is from Big Spoon and the bread used for Purple Bowl’s toasts is from Ninth Street Bakery, both located in Durham.
The Gilland family did extensive taste-testing and interviewing to find the best acai for their bowls.
“We knew that we were going to have to very carefully figure out who we could work with to get our acai source in the best way possible,” Paula Gilland said.
In addition to Purple Bowl’s dedication to sustainable, nutritious food, the restaurant is also passionate about hiring employees from many different backgrounds.
The team hires people from many different age ranges – not just UNC students – and people with different learning styles and disabilities.
“We feel like there’s a job for everyone,” Paula Gilland said. “Having students from Chapel Hill working alongside people with different learning styles I think has been tremendously valuable.”
While the COVID-19 pandemic posed some difficulties for the business, there are many exciting events happening at Purple Bowl to reconnect the community. Purple Bowl recently got a food truck for private catering events and revamped its Sunday morning running club. The business also plans to bring back live music for Music Mondays after the holiday season.
To try out Purple Bowl, visit the restaurant at 306B W Franklin Street any day between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. To keep up with Purple Bowl, follow their Instagram or check out their website.
And if I remember correctly they use compostable serving materials!